Sunday, August 26, 2018
Sunday's Short Stack: Center of Gravity by Charlie Cochet
This SHORT STORY was previously published as part of the Heart2Heart Anthology. As the anthology is no longer available, and the story universe is being expanded into a series, this story is being offered as the first book in the Compromised series, serving as the prequel.
Lymond:
Relationships are a challenge for anyone, but when you’re a deadly assassin leading a double life, losing your heart can mean losing your life. I gave up on happy ever after a long time ago, so when my annoying younger brother Jerrott sets me up on a blind date—through a dating app no less—I’m quick to make my displeasure known. Talked into not letting down the poor loser expecting me to show up, I give in. If anything, I’ll at least get laid. What could it hurt?
Daniel:
What’s wrong with a little romance? For once I’d like to wake up to the sound of a man murmuring sweet nothings in my ear rather than the sound of him hitting the bushes after a swift getaway through my bedroom window. I’m done with gorgeous guys who are nothing but trouble. As it stands, the only boys drooling over me are the playful pups I walk for a living. With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, I let my bestie talk me into yet another blind date. Is it too much to hope for that I’ll meet the man of my dreams? I guess there’s only one way to find out.
Please note that this short story was previously titled The Assassin and The Dog Walker and published as part of the Heart2Heart anthology. Due to the nature of the anthology, a specific wordcount was required.
The story can be read as a standalone with a HEA. Although the story has gone through additional edits since its original release, no new content has been added.
When you are a hired assassin it can be hard to find that someone special who understands you but when your little brother is determined to find him for you there is only so many "nos" that he'll take before you have inevitably say "yes". Even dog walkers can have trouble finding that special somone and when your bestfriend says he has someone for you, you can't help but say "yes" after all there are only so many mornings of waking up to an empty bed you can take. Will Jerrott's matchmaking efforts for Lymond and Daniel be a hit or a flop?
I had not read Center of Gravity when it was titled The Assassin and The Dog Walker as part of the Heart2Heart anthology so this was completely new to me. I loved it and can't wait to see where Charlie Cochet takes this new series. The idea of an assassin and dog walker on a blind date is romantic comedy at its best, throw in Cochet's brand of heat and drama, what you are left with is an incredible short story introduction to a brand new series. I have a feeling that the series won't be as rom-comy as Center but I'm sure it'll be brilliant.
As for Lymond and Daniel, well let's just say that I think Jerrott is right when he said they'd be perfect together. Sure, Lymond says some things to try and put Daniel off but Daniel can see through it just as easily as the reader. I really don't know what more to say that won't give spoilers so let me end with saying: if you are like me and didn't read this one in the Heart2Heart Anthology than do so now because Center of Gravity is truly lovely, entertaining, and simply put fun that puts a smile on face every time I think about the characters.
RATING:
Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters, to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!
Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.
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EMAIL: charlie@charliecochet.com
Release Blitz: Promises by Ruby Moone
Title: Promises
Author: Ruby Moone
Genre: M/M Romance, Historical
Release Date: August 25, 2018
Publisher: JMS Books
Summary:Captain Charles Hawkins has returned from the Napoleonic wars desperate for solitude. When the man who saved his life asks a favour, he feels honour bound to agree, but the request fills him with horror.
Sebastian Farrah knows the only useful thing he can do with his life is join Wellington’s army. He has tried everything else and failed. He agrees to his brother’s ridiculous request to spend a month in the country because it is the only way his brother will agree to purchase him a commission.
Charles and Sebastian clash but quickly form a bond that deepens into much more. However, they are running out of time. Charles begs Sebastian to stay, but Sebastian knows to do so he will be forced to reveal what it is that stopped him from succeeding in everything. The shameful secret he carries from the schoolroom.
Another week passed, and Farrah had become an integral part of the household. He was everywhere. Working in the garden, eating with him, accompanying him when he left the house to tour around the estate, working with him with the shipping company, although he was still curiously resistant about that. Charles watched him apply himself to his evening meal with gusto. The man ate like a horse but hadn’t a spare inch on his frame. All the physical work meant that he had arrived in reasonable shape for someone who did nothing but gamble and drink, but now, now he was bursting with good health, humour, and a physique that made Charles want to weep with envy as he thought about his own skeletal frame. There was a warmth to his companionship that made getting up in a morning easier. He realised just how much he was enjoying having him in the house. As they talked, he hoped that he was helping Farrah to see that there were options open to him that didn’t involve him risking his life on the continent. To see that there were a whole host of things that he was good at. Farrah’s comment about the army being all he was good for had stayed with him and it surprised him how annoyed it made him that his family had allowed him to feel that way, and constantly surprised that Farrah seemed to believe it.
Coulson arrived with the tea tray and Charles smiled as he realised Farrah had lost that slightly frantic look he’d had on realising there was no port or brandy on his arrival. When Coulson had retreated, Charles raised his cup in a toast.
“Congratulations on another sterling week Mr Farrah.”
Farrah laughed and raised his cup in response. “Congratulations on putting up with me for another week. You deserve a medal, Captain Hawkins.”
“Nonsense. No medals required.”
Farrah tilted his head on one side and observed him. “You really are the best of men. I know I’m not easy to have around. Too loud, too ... much.” He laughed again.
And there he went again. He really seemed to believe that his company would not be valued. That he would be some sort of burden. Charles was stunned when he realised that in that moment he wanted nothing more than to take him in his arms and tell him in no uncertain terms that having him in the house was no hardship, and not only that, he discovered he wanted to hunt down the people who had told him that he was a burden, or a nuisance, and hurt them. It was a disconcerting.
He had to fight to retain his composure and answer in kind. “Piffle. You’ve brightened the place up no end. Once you’d sobered up, that is.” He kept his tone light, but his heart was thumping.
“Really?”
For a big, handsome, seemingly confident man sometimes there was a hint of such wistfulness about him, and it was there full force in that softly spoken word. It was filled with such fragile hope it hurt something inside Charles.
“Really.” Charles spoke softly and something in Farrah brightened. “Now, stop fishing for compliments and tell me what the plan for tomorrow is.” He had to resume his usual brisk tone because if he didn’t, he would have ... Charles' heart stopped in his chest. Oh God. Oh God.
He wanted to kiss him.
Coulson arrived with the tea tray and Charles smiled as he realised Farrah had lost that slightly frantic look he’d had on realising there was no port or brandy on his arrival. When Coulson had retreated, Charles raised his cup in a toast.
“Congratulations on another sterling week Mr Farrah.”
Farrah laughed and raised his cup in response. “Congratulations on putting up with me for another week. You deserve a medal, Captain Hawkins.”
Farrah tilted his head on one side and observed him. “You really are the best of men. I know I’m not easy to have around. Too loud, too ... much.” He laughed again.
And there he went again. He really seemed to believe that his company would not be valued. That he would be some sort of burden. Charles was stunned when he realised that in that moment he wanted nothing more than to take him in his arms and tell him in no uncertain terms that having him in the house was no hardship, and not only that, he discovered he wanted to hunt down the people who had told him that he was a burden, or a nuisance, and hurt them. It was a disconcerting.
He had to fight to retain his composure and answer in kind. “Piffle. You’ve brightened the place up no end. Once you’d sobered up, that is.” He kept his tone light, but his heart was thumping.
“Really?”
For a big, handsome, seemingly confident man sometimes there was a hint of such wistfulness about him, and it was there full force in that softly spoken word. It was filled with such fragile hope it hurt something inside Charles.
“Really.” Charles spoke softly and something in Farrah brightened. “Now, stop fishing for compliments and tell me what the plan for tomorrow is.” He had to resume his usual brisk tone because if he didn’t, he would have ... Charles' heart stopped in his chest. Oh God. Oh God.
He wanted to kiss him.
Author Bio:My name is Ruby Moone and I love books. All kinds of books. My weakness is for romance, and that can be any kind, but I am particularly fond of historical and paranormal. I decided to write gay romance after reading some fantastic books and falling in love with the genre, so am really thrilled to have my work published here. The day job takes up a lot of my time, but every other spare moment finds me writing or reading. I live in the north west of England with my husband who thinks that I live in two worlds. The real world and in the world in my head...he probably has a point!
EMAIL: rubymoone@gmail.com
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